Three Options For Testing Your Home for Mold: ERMI Testing, Mold Dogs, and Mold Inspectors Explained

Mycotoxin illness is a HUGE problem and one that I’m working with in so many of my patients. When I test someone for mycotoxins and they have elevated levels, the first thing we need to do is try to evaluate the source of those mycotoxins, and make sure there is no current and ongoing exposure.

It’s near impossible to heal from mycotoxin illness (and Lyme for that matter) if you’re living in mold.

There are a number of ways to test for mold. I’m always being asked which is the best way, and to be quite honest, I don’t 100% know. There are pros and cons to each.

I’ve given you an outline of three of the most popular ways to test for mold below – ERMI testing, mold dogs, and mold inspectors - with some of the pros and cons. What each person will choose depends on their budget, what’s available to them in their area, whether they need a preliminary screen or a deep, detailed dive.

1. ERMI Testing (Environmental Relative Moldiness Index)

ERMI testing is a high-tech way to check for mold. Created by the EPA, it uses dust samples from around your house and tests them in a lab to see what types of mold are present. ERMI doesn’t just tell you if there’s mold; it tells you exactly what kind and how much.

How It Works:

- You collect dust samples from around your home – places like floors, windowsills, or air vents.

- Send the sample off to a lab, where they analyze the mold using DNA technology.

Pros:

- Very Detailed: ERMI identifies lots of different mold types, giving you a super clear picture of what’s going on.

- Precise Numbers: You get a breakdown of exactly how much mold you’re dealing with, not just a yes-or-no answer.

- Easy Comparisons: You get a score, so you can see how your home compares to others or track changes over time.

- Widely Accessible: ERMI kits can be ordered online, samples collected by the home owner and sent in for evaluation. I recommend EnviroBiomics to my patients.

Cons:

- Not Cheap: ERMI tests run between $200 to $400, so it can add up if you are ERMI’ing numerous rooms, homes, or using it to vet potential future living situations.

- No Specific Location: ERMI tells you that mold is there, but not exactly where in your home it’s hiding.

- It doesn’t always differentiate between current and past mold exposure. Since it analyzes dust samples, it can detect mold spores that may have been in your home for a while, even if the mold issue has already been resolved. This can sometimes lead to misleading results, making it look like there’s an active mold problem when it might just be residual spores from a previous issue.

Overall, ERMI testing is a good option if you need to know exactly what you’re dealing with, especially if health concerns are a big factor.

2. Mold Dogs

Yes, there are actual dogs trained to sniff out mold! These pups can be a great choice for spotting mold in hard-to-see places, like behind walls or in crawl spaces. They’re quick, non-invasive, and don’t need you to collect samples. (And yes as an animal lover, I did ask, and was assured that mold dogs can smell mold but do not ingest mycotoxins like we humans do, and so this was not unsafe for their own health).

How It Works:

- A trained dog and handler walk through your home, and the dog sniffs around for mold.

- When the dog finds mold, it lets the handler know so you can check that area further.

Pros:

- Pinpoint Accuracy: Mold dogs can find mold in areas people might not even think to check.

- No Damage: No walls are cut open, and no dust samples are needed.

- Affordable: Hiring a mold dog is often cheaper than ERMI testing or a full inspection.

Cons:

- Occasional Misses: Dogs are great, but they’re not perfect – they might miss some spots or alert on something that isn’t mold.

- Needs Good Training: A dog’s accuracy depends on the quality of its training.

- No Data on Type or Amount: Mold dogs just detect the presence of mold but can’t tell you what kind or how much.

Mold dogs are a fantastic option if you want to quickly check for mold without spending a lot on testing. They’re especially helpful for hidden areas.

3. Mold Inspectors

A mold inspector is a professional who checks your home for mold using tools, tests, and their own experience. They might do a visual check, take air or surface samples, and use moisture meters or thermal imaging to look for mold hotspots.

How It Works:

- Inspectors visually inspect your home and may use specialized tools like thermal cameras or moisture meters.

- They might collect air or surface samples to analyze for a closer look at any mold they find.

Pros:

- Thorough: A good inspector can check everywhere, find problem spots, and detect moisture that could lead to mold.

- Targeted Testing: They can focus on areas that look suspect, giving you a precise assessment.

- Comprehensive Report: You’ll get a report with their findings and advice on what to do next.

Cons:

- Can Be Pricey: Professional inspections typically cost between $500 and $2000, especially if they’re taking multiple samples.

- Relies on Inspector’s Skill: The results depend a lot on how experienced and skilled your inspector is.

- Inconsistent Methods: Not all inspectors use the same tools or standards, which can make results vary.

Professional mold inspections are the way to go if you want a complete, detailed look at your home’s mold situation and don’t mind paying a bit more for the service.

Which Testing Method Should You Go For?

The best method depends on what you’re looking for, your budget, and whether you need a detailed breakdown or a quick check. Here’s a quick recap:

- ERMI Testing: Great for a precise lab test that tells you exactly what mold types are in your home.

- Mold Dogs: Perfect if you want a quick, non-invasive sniff test that’s easier on the wallet than a full inspection.

- Mold Inspectors: Best for a full, top-to-bottom inspection with recommendations for how to handle any issues.

A lot of people mix and match methods, like doing an ERMI first, then using a mold dog to try to pinpoint the specific location of the mold.

I totally understand that the environmental part of mycotoxin illness can be overwhelming and challenging, to say the least, not to mention costly. And then there’s the whole aspect of remediation which is a major challenge unto itself.

What I can say though, is that it’s SO important for your healing to make sure you are not in a moldy environment. Mold is a MAJOR roadblock to healing from Lyme disease and related co-infections, and is it a major trigger of mast cell activation syndrome. 9 out of 10 times when I have a highly sensitive patient who is not tolerating treatment well, is highly sensitive and reactive, and is not recovering as fully as we would like, it ends up that they are either living in mold, have high levels of mycotoxins, or both.

It's not an easy road, but exploring mycotoxins in both you and your environment might be the missing piece in your recovery.